A new wood building for the state-owned Finnish-Russian School of Helsinki has been completed in 2021. The new building of the school, originally established in 1955, is located in Kaarela, Helsinki. The building was designed by AFKS architecture firm, Juha Salmenperä being the head designer.

The school building, shaped like a letter L, is an inviting, bright and carefully thought-out whole. The sheltered outdoor area’s façade in the inner yard has wood panelling with a natural grey shade. The longer outer façade of the building is eggplant-coloured, and the “backside” of the building, which faces the road is vertically boarded. 

The main entrance located in the school yard side has an access to a high stage and hall space at the heart of the building. It includes an open, stairwell-like auditorium lit by natural light. From the auditorium, it is possible to see the structures, which consist of large-scale pillars and beams as well as glulam-laminated timber wall surfaces. The metal beams reminiscent of Finnish reconstruction-era’s design from the 1950s.

The building was designed to serve a new curriculum, which included abandoning the traditional model based on corridors and separate classrooms. Some of the partition walls in the school are made of glass, and the transparency creates a sense of spaciousness. In addition, the school has facilities suitable for many types of group work as well as groupings of sofas. Also, two “houses within the house” were designed to the school. More traditional classrooms are also included and dedicated to subjects that requires the more traditional facilities. 

There is room for playfulness, and the various school facilities also encourage the pupils to be physically active and offers plenty of opportunities for spending time together.

Location

Kaarelankuja 2b, Helsinki
60.2384824, 24.900059

Images

Central hall, Finnish-Russian School
Central hall, Finnish-Russian School (© Hannu Rytky / AFKS)
Classroom, Finnish-Russian School
Classroom, Finnish-Russian School (© Hannu Rytky / AFKS)
Finnish-Russian School
Finnish-Russian School (© Hannu Rytky / AFKS)
Staircase, Finnish-Russian School
Staircase, Finnish-Russian School (© Hannu Rytky / AFKS)
Central lobby, Finnish-Russian School
Central lobby, Finnish-Russian School (© Hannu Rytky / AFKS)
Lounge area, Finnish-Russian School
Lounge area, Finnish-Russian School (© Hannu Rytky / AFKS)
Courtyard, Finnish-Russian School
Courtyard, Finnish-Russian School (© Hannu Rytky / AFKS)
Common area, Finnish-Russian School
Common area, Finnish-Russian School (© Hannu Rytky / AFKS)
Staircase, Finnish-Russian School
Staircase, Finnish-Russian School (© Hannu Rytky / AFKS)
Seating and stairs, Finnish-Russian School
Seating and stairs, Finnish-Russian School (© Hannu Rytky / AFKS)

More projects by author

Empty placeholder image
Bookmark

Martta Wendelin Day Care Centre

  • Tuusula
Empty placeholder image
Bookmark

Helsinki Upper Secondary School of Natural Sciences

  • Helsinki
Empty placeholder image
Bookmark

Tillinmäki Daycare Centre

  • Espoo
Empty placeholder image
Bookmark

Ajurinmäki Daycare Centre

  • Espoo
Empty placeholder image
Bookmark

Lapinmäki Daycare Centre

  • Helsinki
Empty placeholder image
Bookmark

Sipoonlahti School Extension

  • Sipoo
Empty placeholder image
Bookmark

Vaaralanpuisto Daycare Centre

  • Vantaa
Empty placeholder image
Bookmark

Viikinmäki Community Centre

  • Helsinki

Nearby projects

Empty placeholder image
Bookmark

Kannelmäki Church

  • 1.2 km
Empty placeholder image
Bookmark

Sahanmäki Residential Area

  • 1.9 km
Empty placeholder image
Bookmark

Malminkartano Experimental Housing

  • 1.9 km